Premier League 2018/19 Tactical Preview: Liverpool vs Wolves

The Premier League will conclude on Sunday with the destination of the title still unknown. Man City travel to Brighton in a game they will be fancied to win, while Liverpool must solely focus on themselves and hope it is enough against a tricky Wolves side. Anfield will once again be alive, and Liverpool will look to match this with their tempo in the hopes of disrupting an expected defensive display from the away side. Wolves caused Liverpool problems in the reverse fixture despite Liverpool’s 2-0 win at Molineux, and in this tactical preview, I’ll look at what both sides could have learned from the reverse fixture and how Liverpool’s injury problems may hinder their game plan.

Injury problems

Mohamed Salah is back available for selection following his injury in their win over Newcastle and he will likely play a key part in replacing Roberto Firmino in attack. Liverpool are likely to be without three players who started the reverse fixture. Andy Robertson picked up a knock against Barcelona in the midweek, while Roberto Firmino and Naby Keïta have longer-term injuries.

This will mean Liverpool may struggle to find natural replacements for these players, particularly if they choose a 4-2-3-1 which I don’t expect them to. Liverpool opted to play a double pivot against Wolves in the reverse league fixture, with Fabinho and Henderson operating as the double pivot and Keïta just in front.

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